The Meditative Experience of 'Freedom-From-Affliction' – a case study of Insight Meditation in the Mahasi Tradition

• Main Authors: Hui-Chi Huang, 黃惠琪
• Other Authors: 盧蕙馨
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/yqjpbu

碩士 === 慈濟大學 === 宗教與文化研究所 === 96 === The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of religious healing by observing the mental and physical changes in four mindfulness meditation. Through field research and interviews, I would like to discuss how those meditators practice and feel in their mind and body as well as how they can free from afflictions. In this research, I've interviewed seven practitioners and tried to interpret through Buddhist, religious healing and psychological aspects for their experiences on being free from affliction. This case study focuses on four mindfulness meditation among various Buddhist meditative techniques for it is the teaching during the initial stage of Buddha’s preaching. The insight meditation by Mahasi applies four mindfulness meditation as the main way of practice and it is very popular internationally nowadays. I myself used to join the practice and had more chances to observe the practitioners. By observing those Mahasi meditation practitioners, I discovered that the mind and body can be transformed, physical and emotional problems can be eased through this meditation. In addition, life can be adjusted well and self transcendence can be reached. The purpose of four mindfulness meditation is to reach freedom from affliction, but the effect of healing can be achieved as well through practice. Although there are many studies about meditation, but those usually focus on the meditation guideline instead of discussing the practitioner's experience on reaching freedom from affliction. Therefore, this study can be the supplement to this aspect.